Box Score
SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone women's basketball team overcame a rough start Saturday evening to grab an 83-72 victory over the Shaw Bears to stay undefeated at home.
Livingstone improved to 11-4 overall, 6-2 in the conference and 1-1 in the division. Shaw fell to 12-8 overall, 5-4 in the CIAA and 1-1 in the Southern Division.
The Blue Bears couldn't have imagined a worse start on Saturday as only 1:05 into the first half Livingstone found itself down 10-0. Shaw continued to lead by 10 with 14:32 left before the Blue Bears really turned up the intensity. Livingstone went on a 10-0 run and tied the game at 18-18 with 10:42 remaining.
For the majority of the remainder of the first half the two teams battled with each leading. Only in the final four minutes of the first half were the Blue Bears able to gain some control. Livingstone took a nine-point edge into the break.
Through the first five minutes of the second half, Shaw stayed within striking distance of Livingstone, but couldn't get over the hump to make a true comeback attempt. Livingstone's lead hit double digits at 48-38 with 14:39 left in the game. The largest lead for the Blue Bears in the second half hit 17 points with 9:33 left.
Despite the 17-point deficit, Shaw fought back hard with a 16-2 run, getting the Bears within three points at 66-63 with 5:17 remaining. Livingstone met that charge with a quick 4-0 run of their own to regain some momentum and a little breathing room. The Blue Bears led by only four points with 3:32 to go, but a 5-0 run gave Livingstone a 75-66 lead. Solid free-throw shooting in the final two minutes solidified the 83-72 victory.
The Blue Bears landed three players in double-figure scoring, led by Rashida Elbourne who finished with 23 points including 4-of-7 shooting from long range. Brittany Wright also added 18 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds while Khalia Boston scored a season-high 14 points.
Livingstone shot 42.3 percent from the field including 41.7 percent from long range. The Blue Bears struggled at the free-throw line, connecting on only 65 percent of their attempts. There was a big disparity at the free-throw line as Shaw took 39 free throws while Livingstone took only 20. Livingstone dominated in the paint Saturday night, outscoring Shaw 30-10 down low.
The Blue Bears will look to extend their home-court winning streak on Monday when they host the Falcons of St. Augustine's College at 5:30 p.m.
